JP2019151333A - On-vehicle optical sensor cleaning device - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide an on-vehicle optical sensor cleaning device capable of properly cleaning an external image pickup surface without disturbing imaging.SOLUTION: An on-vehicle optical sensor cleaning device injects cleaning fluid toward a lens 5c of an on-vehicle camera 5, which is mounted on a vehicle, from a jet orifice 11a, and removes a foreign matter adhering to the lens 5c. A movable nozzle 11 having the jet orifice 11a is provided in a forward and backward movable manner so as to move to a cleaning position where the jet orifice 11a gets close to an imaging range center of the on-vehicle camera 5 and a non-cleaning position where the jet orifice 11a gets farther away from the imaging range center than the cleaning position.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

  The present invention relates to an in-vehicle optical sensor cleaning device.

  In recent years, an in-vehicle optical sensor is provided at a front portion or a rear portion of a vehicle, and an image captured by the in-vehicle optical sensor is widely used. And since there is a possibility that foreign matters such as mud adhere to the external imaging surface (lens and protective glass) of such an in-vehicle optical sensor, liquid is ejected from the nozzle outlet toward the external imaging surface to remove the foreign matter. A vehicle-mounted optical sensor cleaning device for removal has been proposed (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

JP 2007-53448 A

  An object of the present invention is an in-vehicle optical sensor cleaning device that ejects fluid from an ejection port toward an external imaging surface of an in-vehicle optical sensor mounted on a vehicle to remove foreign matter attached to the external imaging surface, One of the external imaging surface and the ejection port is provided so as to be able to move forward and backward relative to the other so as to move between a cleaning position and a non-cleaning position, and a cylindrical case in which the in-vehicle optical sensor is accommodated Is formed with an opening corresponding to the external imaging surface, and the injection port is provided on the inner peripheral surface of the protruding portion of the case protruding around the external imaging surface at the cleaning position. The injection port is arranged at a rear periphery of the outer surface of the external imaging surface of the in-vehicle optical sensor at the non-cleaning position, and at the non-cleaning position, the injection port is formed on the protruding portion by the relative backward movement. Radially inside To provide an in-vehicle optical sensor cleaning apparatus is hidden without exposing.

  An in-vehicle optical sensor cleaning device that solves the above-described problem is directed to an in-vehicle optical sensor that ejects fluid from an ejection port toward an external imaging surface of an in-vehicle optical sensor mounted on a vehicle to remove foreign matter adhering to the external imaging surface. In the cleaning apparatus, one of the external imaging surface and the ejection port is provided so as to be able to move forward and backward relative to the other so as to move between a cleaning position and a non-cleaning position, and the vehicle-mounted optical sensor accommodates The cylindrical case is formed with an opening corresponding to the external imaging surface, and the ejection port is an inner periphery of the protruding portion of the case that protrudes around the external imaging surface at the cleaning position. The ejection port is disposed around the outer surface of the external imaging surface of the in-vehicle optical sensor at the non-cleaning position, and the ejection port is at the relative position at the non-cleaning position. Reverse Hiding without exposing radially inwardly of the projecting portion.

In the above-described on-vehicle optical sensor cleaning device, a plurality of the injection ports are formed on the inner peripheral surface of the protruding portion, and are provided so as to face radially inward at the cleaning position.
In the on-vehicle optical sensor cleaning device, the plurality of injection ports are provided so that the injection directions do not oppose each other.

In the on-vehicle optical sensor cleaning device, the external imaging surface can be projected and retracted from the opening of the case by relative back and forth movement between the cleaning position and the non-cleaning position.
In the on-vehicle optical sensor cleaning device, the case includes an annular storage portion provided outside the injection port and communicated with the injection port, an introduction port communicating with the storage unit, and a pump connected to the introduction. And an introduction tube portion for introducing the fluid from the mouth into the storage portion.

In the on-vehicle optical sensor cleaning device, the storage portion is formed in a circular annular shape, and the introduction port is formed extending in a tangential direction of the annular storage portion.
In the on-vehicle optical sensor cleaning device, the urging member is urged in the non-cleaning position so that the injection port is urged in a hidden direction without being exposed to the radially inner side of the protruding portion. The supply pressure of the fluid supplied from the introduction port to the storage unit is configured to prevent the urging force of the urging member from moving the ejection port from the non-cleaning position to the cleaning position. Move relative to.

  According to the present invention, there is provided an in-vehicle optical sensor cleaning device that ejects fluid from an ejection port toward an external imaging surface of an in-vehicle optical sensor mounted on a vehicle to remove foreign matter attached to the external imaging surface, One of the external imaging surface and the ejection port is provided so as to be able to move forward and backward relative to the other so as to move between a cleaning position and a non-cleaning position, and a cylindrical case in which the in-vehicle optical sensor is accommodated Is formed with an opening corresponding to the external imaging surface, and the injection port is provided on the inner peripheral surface of the protruding portion of the case protruding around the external imaging surface at the cleaning position. The injection port is arranged at a rear periphery of the outer surface of the external imaging surface of the in-vehicle optical sensor at the non-cleaning position, and at the non-cleaning position, the injection port is formed on the protruding portion by the relative backward movement. Radially inward It is possible to provide a vehicle optical sensor cleaning apparatus is hidden without leaving.

(A) is a schematic block diagram of the vehicle provided with the vehicle-mounted optical sensor washing | cleaning apparatus of 1st Embodiment. (B) is a schematic diagram of the display of 1st Embodiment. The partial schematic perspective view of the vehicle provided with the vehicle-mounted optical sensor cleaning apparatus of 1st Embodiment. FIG. 2A is a perspective view of an in-vehicle camera and a cleaning unit at a non-cleaning position according to the first embodiment. (B) is a perspective view of a vehicle-mounted camera and a cleaning unit at a cleaning position. The disassembled perspective view of the vehicle-mounted camera and washing | cleaning unit in 1st Embodiment. Sectional drawing of the nozzle unit in 1st Embodiment. The exploded perspective view of the camera integrated cleaning unit in a 2nd embodiment. (A) is sectional drawing of the camera integrated washing | cleaning unit in the non-washing position of 2nd Embodiment. (B) is sectional drawing of the camera integrated cleaning unit in a cleaning position. Sectional drawing along the flow path of the camera integrated cleaning unit in 2nd Embodiment. Sectional drawing along the flow path of the camera integrated cleaning unit in another example. Sectional drawing along the flow path of the camera integrated cleaning unit in another example. Sectional drawing along the flow path of the camera integrated cleaning unit in another example. The schematic diagram of the vehicle-mounted optical sensor washing | cleaning apparatus in another example. (A) is a schematic diagram of the in-vehicle optical sensor cleaning device in another example. (B) And (c) is a schematic diagram of the display in another example. (A) is a schematic diagram of the in-vehicle optical sensor cleaning device in another example. (B) And (c) is a schematic diagram of the display in another example. (A) is a schematic diagram of the in-vehicle optical sensor cleaning device in another example. (B) And (c) is a schematic diagram of the display in another example. The partial sectional view for explaining protection glass in another example. Sectional drawing for demonstrating the fixing structure of the nozzle unit in another example.

(First embodiment)
Hereinafter, a first embodiment of a vehicle equipped with an in-vehicle optical sensor cleaning device will be described with reference to FIGS.

As shown in FIG. 1A, a back door 2 is provided behind the vehicle 1.
As shown in FIG. 2, the back door 2 includes a metal vehicle panel 3 and a resin garnish 4 that covers a part of the vehicle panel 3. The garnish 4 has an opening 4a that opens downward, and the back door 2 is provided with an in-vehicle camera 5 and a cleaning unit 6 as an in-vehicle optical sensor so that a part is exposed from the opening 4a. .

  As shown in FIGS. 3 to 5, the in-vehicle camera 5 includes a substantially cubic main body 5 a in which an image sensor (not shown) is housed, and an external imaging surface provided on one surface of the main body 5 a. And a lens 5c, which is fixed to the vehicle panel 3. Therefore, the lens 5 c is provided so as not to move with respect to the vehicle 1.

  As shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, for example, when the shift lever SL of the transmission is operated to the reverse position, the in-vehicle camera 5 transmits the captured image of the rear of the vehicle 1 to the display DSP in the vehicle. Display.

  As shown in FIGS. 3 to 5, the cleaning unit 6 includes a connection fixing member 7 fixed to the in-vehicle camera 5 and a nozzle unit 8 fixed to the connection fixing member 7. The connecting and fixing member 7 has a substantially rectangular cylindrical holding portion 7a into which the in-vehicle camera 5 can be fitted. The main body 5a of the in-vehicle camera 5 is fitted into the holding portion 7a, so that the in-vehicle camera 5 is fitted. It is fixed against. The connecting and fixing member 7 has a pair of fixed pieces 7b having grooves formed on opposite sides, and the nozzle unit 8 is detachably assembled and fixed to the fixed pieces 7b.

  The nozzle unit 8 includes a substantially cylindrical first case 9 and a second case 10 that is fitted and fixed to the proximal end side of the first case 9. The nozzle unit 8 has a pair of fixed protrusions 9a (only one is shown in FIGS. 3 and 4) formed on the outer periphery of the first case 9, and is fitted into the groove of the fixed piece 7b. The fixing piece 7b (the connecting fixing member 7) is detachably assembled and fixed. At the bottom of the second case 10, a cylindrical introduction tube portion 10a is formed to project, and the inside of the introduction tube portion 10a serves as an introduction port 10b (see FIG. 5) communicating with the inside of the first case 9. . A seal ring S1 is interposed between the first case 9 and the second case 10.

  4 and 5, the nozzle unit 8 includes a movable nozzle 11 provided so as to be able to move forward and backward so as to protrude and retract from the front end opening of the first case 9, and the movable nozzle 11 in the backward direction (first direction). A compression coil spring 12 as an urging member for urging in the direction toward the base end of one case 9.

  Specifically, as shown in FIG. 5, the movable nozzle 11 is formed in a cylindrical shape having a smaller diameter than the first case 9, and an injection port 11 a is formed at the tip of the nozzle 11 toward the side (perpendicular to the longitudinal direction). ing. As schematically shown in FIG. 1B, the injection port 11a of the present embodiment is formed in a rectangular shape when viewed from the opening direction, and more specifically, orthogonal to the forward / backward direction when viewed from the opening direction. It is formed in a rectangular shape that is long in the direction in which it goes. Further, a base end member 13 is fitted and fixed to the base end portion of the movable nozzle 11. A seal ring S2 is interposed between the movable nozzle 11 and the base end member 13. The base end member 13 has a flange portion 13a extending radially outward, and is movable when the flange portion 13a is biased by the compression coil spring 12 supported at one end side on the distal end side of the first case 9. The nozzle 11 is urged in the backward direction (right direction in FIG. 5). An annular seal member 14 that is in sliding contact with the inner peripheral surface of the first case 9 is fitted to the proximal end portion of the proximal end member 13.

  In addition, a regulation column 10c extending on the opposite side to the introduction tube portion 10a is formed on the bottom portion of the second case 10. In this example, three regulation columns 10c are formed at equal angular intervals in the circumferential direction (only two are shown in FIG. 5). The restriction column 10c abuts on the base end surface of the base end member 13 urged by the compression coil spring 12, and restricts the base end member 13 (movable nozzle 11) from moving backward from the contacted position.

  And as shown in FIG.1 and FIG.2, the liquid pump P is connected to the introduction cylinder part 10a (introduction port 10b). The liquid pump P of the present embodiment is capable of supplying a cleaning liquid as a fluid stored in the tank T, and the cleaning liquid is supplied from the inlet 10b to the nozzle unit 8 by driving the liquid pump P. Become. The liquid pump P is driven, for example, when a switch provided in the vehicle is operated, immediately before the in-vehicle camera 5 starts imaging, or the like.

  An air pump AP for injecting air mixed with the cleaning liquid is also connected to the introduction cylinder portion 10a (introduction port 10b). In the present embodiment, a joint J is provided in a pipe connecting the introduction cylinder portion 10a and the liquid pump P, and a pipe from the air pump AP is connected to the joint J so that the cleaning liquid and the air are inside the joint J. Will be mixed. The air pump AP is driven while the liquid pump P is driven. For example, the air pump AP is driven before the liquid pump P is driven, and is set in advance after the liquid pump P is stopped. It is driven and stopped for a certain period of time.

  When the movable nozzle 11 provided as described above is supplied with a cleaning liquid (specifically, a fluid obtained by mixing the cleaning liquid and air, hereinafter simply referred to as a cleaning liquid) from the introduction port 10b. The base end surface of the base end member 13 is biased by the supply pressure of the cleaning liquid, and moves forward against the biasing force of the compression coil spring 12.

  Here, the injection port 11a of the movable nozzle 11 in the in-vehicle optical sensor cleaning device configured as described above is configured such that the movable nozzle 11 moves back and forth, so that the imaging range center X of the in-vehicle camera 5 (see FIG. 1B). ) And a non-cleaning position that is farther from the imaging range center X than the cleaning position. In addition, the imaging range of this embodiment is a range which the vehicle-mounted camera 5 (its imaging device) images via the lens 5c, and is a range displayed on the display DSP.

  Specifically, in the present embodiment, the non-cleaning position is set to a position where the injection port 11a is outside the imaging range of the in-vehicle camera 5 (see the two-dot chain line in FIG. 1B), and the cleaning position is The injection port 11a is set to a position within the imaging range of the in-vehicle camera 5 (see the solid line in FIG. 1B). That is, when the movable nozzle 11 is moved backward (in a state where the base end surface of the base end member 13 is in contact with the restriction column 10c), the ejection port 11a is in a non-cleaning position arranged outside the imaging range of the in-vehicle camera 5. In the forward movement state where the movable nozzle 11 has advanced, the ejection port 11 a becomes a cleaning position disposed within the imaging range of the in-vehicle camera 5. In FIG. 1B, the scenery displayed on the display DSP and the ejection port 11a (tip portion of the movable nozzle 11) arranged in the imaging range are illustrated and arranged outside the imaging range. The ejection port 11a (the tip of the movable nozzle 11) is schematically illustrated by a two-dot chain line.

  Further, in this embodiment, the movable nozzle 11 can be moved forward and backward in a direction inclined with respect to the direction in which the lens 5c of the in-vehicle camera 5 faces (the central axis of the lens 5c and the imaging axis). Yes. That is, in the forward movement state where the movable nozzle 11 is advanced, the injection port 11a is arranged closer to the imaging axis (center axis of the lens 5c) and closer to the center in the imaging range of the in-vehicle camera 5, and from the injection port 11a. The cleaning liquid is inclined and disposed so as to be sprayed to the center position of the lens 5c.

Moreover, in this embodiment, the movable nozzle 11 is arrange | positioned at the horizontal direction side of the vehicle-mounted camera 5 so that the injection port 11a may be arrange | positioned at the horizontal direction side of the lens 5c in the said non-washing position.
Next, the operation and action of the in-vehicle optical sensor cleaning device of this embodiment will be described.

  First, in a state where the liquid pump P and the air pump AP are not driven, the movable nozzle 11 is moved backward to the non-cleaning position by the biasing force of the compression coil spring 12 (see FIG. 3A). (The tip of the movable nozzle 11) is disposed outside the imaging range of the in-vehicle camera 5. Therefore, when the image is taken without being washed, the ejection port 11a (the tip of the movable nozzle 11) does not interfere with the imaging.

  When the liquid pump P and the air pump AP are driven and the cleaning liquid is supplied to the nozzle unit 8 from the introduction port 10b, the movable nozzle 11 (ejection port 11a) is advanced to the cleaning position by the supply pressure of the cleaning liquid ( As shown in FIG. 3B, the ejection port 11a is disposed within the imaging range of the in-vehicle camera 5, and the cleaning liquid is ejected from the ejection port 11a to the lens 5c. As a result, foreign matters and the like attached to the lens 5c are removed and cleaning is performed.

Next, the characteristic effects of the first embodiment will be described below.
(1) The movable nozzle 11 having the ejection port 11a is moved so that the ejection port 11a moves closer to the imaging range center X of the in-vehicle camera 5 and to the non-cleaning position farther from the imaging range center X than the cleaning position. Since the lens 5c is provided so as to be movable, the lens 5c can be satisfactorily cleaned without being disturbed for imaging by being moved to the cleaning position only during cleaning.

  (2) Since the movable nozzle 11 having the ejection port 11a is provided so as to be movable back and forth so as to move between the cleaning position and the non-cleaning position, for example, the external imaging surface (lens 5c) and the ejection port 11a are relatively disposed. Compared with the case of rotating, the area required for movement can be reduced.

  (3) Since the vehicle-mounted camera 5 having the lens 5c is fixed to the vehicle 1, for example, a stable captured image can be obtained. In addition, since the injection port 11a is provided in the movable nozzle 11 supported so as to be able to move forward and backward with respect to the vehicle 1, conversely, the injection port 11a is fixed and the vehicle-mounted camera 5 is moved forward and backward. It can be done easily. That is, for example, if the external imaging surface (lens 5c) can be moved forward and backward, it becomes a large mechanism for winding the in-vehicle camera 5, but the external imaging surface is directly or indirectly (in-vehicle camera 5) on the vehicle 1. Since the movable nozzle 11 can be made relatively small and light compared to the mechanism, the configuration in which the movable nozzle 11 is moved forward and backward can be easily switched between forward and backward.

  (4) Since the movable nozzle 11 can be advanced so that the injection port 11a approaches the lens 5c of the in-vehicle camera 5, for example, the cleaning liquid is applied to the lens 5c from the front direction close to the imaging axis (the central axis of the lens 5c). It becomes easy to inject to the center position. Therefore, the lens 5c can be cleaned better.

  (5) Since the movable nozzle 11 moves forward to the cleaning position by the supply pressure of the cleaning liquid (fluid), an electric drive device or the like for moving the movable nozzle 11 forward becomes unnecessary, and the configuration can be simplified.

  (6) Since the movable nozzle 11 moves backward to the non-cleaning position by the urging force of the compression coil spring 12 (urging member), an electric drive device or the like for moving the movable nozzle 11 backward becomes unnecessary, and the configuration is simplified. be able to.

  (7) Since the nozzle unit 8 provided with the movable nozzle 11 so as to be able to move forward and backward is assembled so as to be detachable with respect to the vehicle 1, for example, when the forward and backward movement of the movable nozzle 11 becomes defective, the nozzle unit It becomes easy to remove 8 and replace it with a new one.

  (8) Since the injection port 11a is formed in a rectangular shape when viewed from the opening direction, it is possible to spray the cleaning liquid over a wide area while maintaining a high injection pressure, and it is possible to clean the lens 5c better. It becomes.

  (9) Since the fluid is a mixture of the cleaning liquid (liquid) and air, for example, the injection pressure is increased (the flow rate is increased) and the lens 5c is moved as compared with the case where only the cleaning liquid (liquid) is used. It becomes possible to clean better. In addition, the consumption of the cleaning liquid can be reduced.

  (10) Since the ejection port 11a is disposed only in the horizontal direction of the lens 5c at the non-cleaning position, for example, even if the liquid hangs down from the ejection port 11a that has moved to the non-cleaning position after cleaning, It is possible to prevent the dripping liquid from adhering to the lens 5c.

  (11) The non-cleaning position is a position where the ejection port 11a is outside the imaging range of the in-vehicle camera 5, and the cleaning position is a position where the ejection port 11a is within the imaging range of the in-vehicle camera 5. By moving only to the cleaning position, it is possible to clean the lens 5c satisfactorily without interfering with imaging.

(Second Embodiment)
Hereinafter, a second embodiment of a vehicle equipped with an in-vehicle optical sensor cleaning device will be described with reference to FIGS. In this example, since the overall configuration of the vehicle 1 is the same as that of the first embodiment, the same reference numerals are given and detailed description thereof is omitted. In addition, the in-vehicle camera 5 of this example includes a substantially cubic main body portion 5a in which an imaging element (not shown) is accommodated, a cylindrical portion 5b extending from one surface of the main body portion 5a, and the cylindrical portion 5b. And a lens 5c as an external imaging surface provided so as to cover the tip.

As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, in this embodiment, a camera integrated cleaning unit 21 having the in-vehicle camera 5 is fixed to the back door 2.
The camera-integrated cleaning unit 21 includes a substantially square cylindrical unit case 22 and a unit cap 23 that is fitted and fixed to the base end side of the unit case 22. A distal end wall portion 22 b that has a circular opening 22 a and closes the distal end portion of the unit case 22 except for the opening 22 a is formed at the distal end portion of the unit case 22. The in-vehicle camera 5 is housed so that its main body 5a can be moved forward and backward at the central portion in the unit case 22, and the opening 22a is moved as the lens 5c moves forward and backward (moving in the horizontal direction in FIG. 7). It is supposed to be able to invade from.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 7, the distal end wall portion 22b is formed with an inwardly extending cylindrical portion 22c that extends inward from the edge portion of the opening 22a. The inner diameter of the inwardly extending cylindrical part 22c is set to be substantially the same as the outer diameter of the cylindrical part 5b of the in-vehicle camera 5 (it can be fitted and slidable). In the state where the main body portion 5a of the in-vehicle camera 5 is in contact with the tip portion (see FIG. 7A), the tip of the cylindrical portion 5b coincides with the outer surface of the tip wall portion 22b and the lens 5c. Is set to protrude outward.

  Further, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, a plurality of injection ports 22d penetrating in the radial direction are formed in the base portion (left end portion in FIG. 7) of the inwardly extending cylindrical portion 22c. The injection ports 22d of the present embodiment are provided around the lens 5c, respectively, when viewed from the axial direction (front-rear direction), and are provided so that the injection direction faces the center side of the lens 5c (that is, the radially inner side). ing. The injection ports 22d are provided so that the injection directions do not oppose each other.

  Specifically, as shown in FIG. 8, three injection ports 22d of the present embodiment are formed at intervals of 60 °. FIG. 7 is a cross-section along the portion where the injection ports 22d are formed, as if the injection ports 22d face each other (as if the injection ports 22d were formed at intervals of 180 °). It is shown in the figure.

  An annular storage portion 22e is formed outside the injection port 22d (inwardly extending cylindrical portion 22c) on the distal end side of the unit case 22, and the injection port 22d communicates with the storage portion 22e on the radially outer side. A fluid (cleaning liquid) is supplied from the reservoir 22e. In addition, the storage part 22e is formed in the cyclic | annular form where the inner periphery and outer periphery are circular because the inner surface in the front end side of the unit case 22 is made circular.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 8, a cylindrical introduction cylinder part 22f is formed to project from one side of the front end side of the unit case 22, and the inside of the introduction cylinder part 22f serves as an introduction port 22g. 22e communicates with the introduction port 22g and fluid (cleaning liquid) is supplied from the introduction port 22g. The inlet 22g of the present embodiment is formed so as to extend in the tangential direction of the annular storage portion 22e.

6 and 7, the camera-integrated cleaning unit 21 includes an auxiliary plate 24, a pressing member 25, a seal member 26, and a compression coil spring 27 as an urging member.
The auxiliary plate 24 is formed in an annular shape, and is fixed so as to fill a space between the outer periphery of the distal end portion (the right end portion in FIG. 7) of the inwardly extending cylindrical portion 22 c and the inner surface of the unit case 22. The auxiliary plate 24 is formed with a plurality of through holes 24a penetrating in the axial direction (front-rear direction).

  The pressing member 25 is formed in an annular shape and is accommodated in the storage portion 22e, and the inner and outer circumferences thereof are supported by the inner surface of the storage portion 22e so as to be able to move forward and backward. A plurality of pressing protrusions 25a are formed on the surface of the pressing member 25 on the base end side (on the side of the unit cap 23). The pressing protrusions 25a protrude and protrude through the through hole 24a as the pressing member 25 moves back and forth.

The seal member 26 is fixed to the surface on the front end side of the pressing member 25 so as to be in sliding contact with the inner peripheral surface and the outer peripheral surface of the storage portion 22e.
One end of the compression coil spring 27 is supported by the unit cap 23 and the other end is in contact with the base end of the main body 5a of the in-vehicle camera 5 so as to urge the in-vehicle camera 5 in the forward direction. .

  And as shown in FIG. 8, the said liquid pump P is connected to the introduction cylinder part 22f (introduction port 22g). And when the washing | cleaning liquid is supplied to the storage part 22e from the inlet 22g, the front-end | tip surface of the press member 25 (seal member 26) urges the vehicle-mounted camera 5 provided as mentioned above by the supply pressure of this washing | cleaning liquid. Then, the pressure projection 25a moves backward against the urging force of the compression coil spring 27.

  Here, the ejection port 22d in the in-vehicle optical sensor cleaning device configured as described above has a cleaning position that approaches the center of the imaging range of the in-vehicle camera 5 and the cleaning position when the in-vehicle camera 5 (lens 5c) moves forward and backward. It is possible to move to a non-cleaning position farther from the center of the imaging range. In addition, an imaging range is a range which the vehicle-mounted camera 5 (its imaging device) images through the lens 5c.

  Specifically, in the present embodiment, the non-cleaning position is set to a position where the ejection port 22d is outside the imaging range of the in-vehicle camera 5 (outside the cylindrical portion 5b), and the ejection port 22d is mounted on the vehicle. The position is set within the imaging range of the camera 5. That is, when the in-vehicle camera 5 (lens 5c) moves forward, the ejection port 22d is in a non-cleaning position arranged outside the imaging range of the in-vehicle camera 5, and when the in-vehicle camera 5 moves backward, the ejection port 22d is mounted in the vehicle. The cleaning position is within the imaging range of the camera 5.

Next, the operation and action of the in-vehicle optical sensor cleaning device of this embodiment will be described.
First, when the liquid pump P is not driven, the in-vehicle camera 5 (lens 5c) is advanced to the non-cleaning position by the urging force of the compression coil spring 27 (see FIG. 7A). 22 d is arranged outside the imaging range of the in-vehicle camera 5. Therefore, when the image is taken without being washed, the ejection port 22d does not interfere with the imaging.

  When the liquid pump P is driven and the cleaning liquid is supplied to the reservoir 22e from the introduction port 22g, the in-vehicle camera 5 (lens 5c) is moved backward to the cleaning position by the supply pressure of the cleaning liquid (FIG. 7B). )), And the ejection port 22d is disposed within the imaging range of the in-vehicle camera 5, and the cleaning liquid is ejected from the ejection port 22d to the lens 5c. As a result, foreign matters and the like attached to the lens 5c are removed, and good cleaning is performed.

Next, characteristic effects of the second embodiment will be described below.
(1) The vehicle-mounted camera 5 having the lens 5c is movable so that the ejection port 22d moves to a cleaning position that approaches the center of the imaging range of the vehicle-mounted camera 5 and a non-cleaning position that is farther from the center of the imaging range than the cleaning position. Therefore, by moving the lens 5c to the cleaning position only during cleaning, it is possible to clean the lens 5c satisfactorily without disturbing the imaging.

  (2) The vehicle-mounted camera 5 having the lens 5c is provided so as to be able to move forward and backward so as to move between the cleaning position and the non-cleaning position. The required area can be reduced.

  (3) Since the injection port 22d is fixed with respect to the vehicle 1 and the lens 5c (on-vehicle camera 5) is provided so as to be able to move forward and backward with respect to the vehicle 1, the injection port side is movable (the first embodiment). In contrast, the fluid can be stably ejected from the ejection port 22d.

  (4) Since the in-vehicle camera 5 having the lens 5c is moved backward to the cleaning position by the supply pressure of the cleaning liquid (fluid), an electric drive device or the like for moving the lens 5c (in-vehicle camera 5) backward is not required. Can be simplified.

  (5) The in-vehicle camera 5 having the lens 5c is advanced to the non-cleaning position by the urging force of the compression coil spring 27 (the urging member), so that the lens 5c (in-vehicle camera 5) is moved forward. Is not required, and the configuration can be simplified.

(6) Since a plurality of injection ports 22d are provided, the lens 5c can be cleaned more satisfactorily.
(7) Each of the ejection ports 22d is provided around the lens 5c, and is provided so that the ejection direction faces the center side of the lens 5c. Therefore, fluid is ejected from each direction around the lens 5c to the center side of the lens 5c. As a result, the lens 5c can be cleaned more satisfactorily.

  (8) Since the ejection ports 22d are provided so that the ejection directions do not oppose each other, the ejected cleaning liquid (fluid) is prevented from colliding from the front, and the lens 5c can be cleaned better. Become.

  (9) Each of the injection ports 22d communicates with the annular storage portion 22e and is supplied with cleaning liquid (fluid) from the storage portion 22e, and the storage portion 22e is supplied with cleaning liquid from an introduction port 22g extending in its own tangential direction. Therefore, for example, the cleaning liquid can be uniformly ejected from each of the ejection ports 22d as compared with the case where the cleaning liquid is supplied to the storage unit 22e from a direction perpendicular to the tangent line. That is, in the case where the cleaning liquid is supplied to the storage part 22e from the direction perpendicular to the tangent line, the flow of the cleaning liquid in the annular storage part 22e is disturbed, and the amount and the momentum of the cleaning liquid ejected from each ejection port 22d may be disturbed. However, this can be suppressed, and the cleaning liquid can be ejected from each of the ejection ports 22d with a nearly uniform amount and momentum.

  (10) The non-cleaning position is a position where the ejection port 22d is outside the imaging range of the in-vehicle camera 5, and the cleaning position is a position where the ejection port 22d is within the imaging range of the in-vehicle camera 5. By moving only to the cleaning position, it is possible to clean the lens 5c satisfactorily without interfering with imaging.

The above embodiment may be modified as follows.
In the second embodiment, the injection ports 22d are provided so that the injection directions do not oppose each other. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and may be provided so that the injection directions oppose each other.

For example, as shown in FIG. 9, the injection ports 31 may be provided at intervals of 180 ° around the entire lens 5 c when viewed from the axial direction (front-rear direction).
Further, for example, as shown in FIG. 10, the injection ports 32 may be provided at intervals of 120 ° around the entire lens 5 c when viewed from the axial direction (front-rear direction).

Further, for example, as shown in FIG. 11, the injection ports 33 may be provided at 90 ° intervals around the entire lens 5c when viewed from the axial direction (front-rear direction).
If it carries out like these, since the injection nozzles 31-33 are provided in the whole circumference | surroundings of the lens 5c at equal angular intervals, it will become possible to wash | clean the lens 5c equally.

  In each of the above embodiments, the supply pressure of the cleaning liquid (fluid) and the urging force of the compression coil springs 12 and 27 (the urging member) are used for relative movement between the ejection ports 11a and 22d and the lens 5c. However, these may be changed to other driving forces.

  For example, it may be changed as shown in FIG. In this example, the lens 5c and the injection port 11a are relatively moved by the driving force of the electric motor 41 as an electric driving device. Specifically, in this example, the in-vehicle camera 5 having the lens 5c is fixed to the vehicle, the nut member 42 having a female screw is fixed to the movable nozzle 11 having the injection port 11a, and the movable nozzle 11 and the nut member 42 are It is supported so as not to rotate by a support portion (not shown). The rotating shaft 41a of the electric motor 41 is formed with a male screw, and the male screw is screwed into the nut member 42 (female screw). Therefore, when the rotary shaft 41a of the electric motor 41 is driven to rotate, the nut member 42 is not allowed to rotate, so that the movable nozzle 11 moves forward and backward with the nut member 42 to the cleaning position and the non-cleaning position.

  If it does in this way, since the lens 5c and the injection port 11a (movable nozzle 11) move relatively by the drive force of the electric motor 41, for example, it is an exact position compared with what is moved by the supply pressure of fluid. Control becomes possible.

  In each of the above embodiments, the lens 5c and the ejection ports 11a and 22d are provided so as to be able to move forward and backward relatively so as to move between the cleaning position and the non-cleaning position. And may be provided so as to move to the non-cleaning position.

  In the first embodiment, the ejection port 11a (movable nozzle 11) is movable, and in the second embodiment, the lens 5c (vehicle camera 5) is movable. However, both the ejection port and the lens are movable. It may be.

  In each of the above embodiments, the non-cleaning position is a position where the ejection ports 11a and 22d are outside the imaging range of the in-vehicle camera 5, and the cleaning position is a position where the ejection ports 11a and 22d are within the imaging range of the in-vehicle camera 5. However, the non-cleaning position may be changed as long as it is farther from the imaging range center X than the cleaning position. For example, even if the non-cleaning position is within the imaging range, as long as the injection ports 11a and 22d are slightly inserted at the end of the imaging range, it is possible to move to the cleaning position only at the time of cleaning, so that the imaging is not substantially disturbed. In addition, the lens 5c can be cleaned well.

  In the first embodiment, the direction in which the movable nozzle 11 (injection port 11a) can move forward and backward is the direction in which the lens 5c of the in-vehicle camera 5 faces (the central axis of the lens 5c and the imaging range center X). However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the direction in which the vehicle 5 can move back and forth may be a direction parallel to the direction in which the lens 5c of the in-vehicle camera 5 faces. In other words, in the first embodiment, the movable nozzle 11 can be advanced so that the ejection port 11a approaches the imaging axis (the central axis of the lens 5c), but is not limited thereto, and is along the imaging axis. May be moved forward (so as not to approach the imaging axis).

For example, you may change as shown to Fig.13 (a). In this example, the direction in which the ejection port 11a can move forward and backward is a direction parallel to the imaging axis Xa that coincides with the imaging range center X.
In this example, the range (angle) Y taken by the in-vehicle camera 5 (the image pickup element) via the lens 5c is 180 °.

  Further, the non-cleaning position (position A) of the ejection port 11a is set at an end within the imaging range, and the cleaning position (position B) of the ejection port 11a is set at an intermediate point between the imaging range center X and the end within the imaging range. Has been. That is, as shown in FIG. 13B, the non-cleaning position (position A) is a position where the ejection port 11a (the tip of the movable nozzle 11) is displayed at the end of the display DSP, and FIG. As shown in c), the cleaning position (position B) is a position where the ejection port 11a is displayed at an intermediate point between the end of the display DSP and the imaging range center X. In this example, the distance from the lens 5c to the ejection port 11a is longer at the cleaning position (position B), but the cleaning position is closer to the imaging range center X. That is, the cleaning position (position B) approaching the imaging range center X and the non-cleaning position (position A) farther from the imaging range center X than the cleaning position are inclined from the imaging axis Xa regardless of the distance from the lens 5c. A cleaning position that is related to the angles θa and θb and that has a smaller angle (inclination angle θb) approaches the imaging range center X is set.

  Further, for example, the change may be made as shown in FIG. In this example, the direction in which the ejection port 11a can move forward and backward is a direction parallel to the imaging axis Xa that coincides with the imaging range center X.

In this example, the range (angle) Z captured by the in-vehicle camera 5 (its image sensor) via the lens 5c is 90 °.
Further, the non-cleaning position (position C) of the ejection port 11a is set at an end within the imaging range, and the cleaning position (position D) of the ejection port 11a is set at an intermediate point between the imaging range center X and the end within the imaging range. Has been. That is, as shown in FIG. 14B, the non-cleaning position (position C) is a position where the injection port 11a (the tip of the movable nozzle 11) is displayed at the end of the display DSP, and FIG. As shown in c), the cleaning position (position D) is a position where the ejection port 11a is displayed at an intermediate point between the end of the display DSP and the imaging range center X. In this example, the distance from the lens 5c to the ejection port 11a is longer at the cleaning position (position D), but the cleaning position is closer to the imaging range center X. That is, the cleaning position (position D) approaching the imaging range center X and the non-cleaning position (position C) farther from the imaging range center X than the cleaning position are inclined from the imaging axis Xa regardless of the distance from the lens 5c. A cleaning position that is related to the angles θc and θd and that has a smaller angle (inclination angle θd) approaches the imaging range center X is set.

  Of course, as shown in FIG. 14A, the non-cleaning position (position E) of the ejection port 11a may be set outside the imaging range. In this case, as indicated by a two-dot chain line in FIG. 14B, the non-cleaning position (position E) is a position where the ejection port 11a (the tip of the movable nozzle 11) is not displayed on the display DSP.

  Further, for example, it may be changed as shown in FIG. In this example, the direction in which the ejection port 11a can move forward and backward is a direction parallel to the imaging axis Xa that coincides with the imaging range center X.

In this example, the range (angle) Z captured by the in-vehicle camera 5 (its image sensor) via the lens 5c is 90 °.
Further, the cleaning position (position F) of the ejection port 11a is a position (see FIG. 15C) that is close to the imaging range center X while being outside the imaging range, and the non-cleaning position (position G) of the ejection port 11a is Although it is outside the imaging range, it is set to a position (see FIG. 15B) farther from the imaging range center X than the cleaning position (position F). That is, the inclination angle θf from the imaging axis Xa at the cleaning position (position F) is set smaller than the inclination angle θg from the imaging axis Xa at the non-cleaning position (position G). In this case, it is possible to clean the lens 5c satisfactorily without the injection port 11a interfering with the image pickup even when washing or not. Moreover, the designability at the time of non-cleaning can be improved by moving (reversing) the ejection port 11a to the non-cleaning position except at the time of cleaning. Of course, also in other examples, the designability at the time of non-cleaning can be enhanced by moving (reversely moving) the ejection port 11a to the non-cleaning position except at the time of cleaning.

  In each of the above embodiments, the urging members are the compression coil springs 12 and 27. However, the urging member is not limited to this, and other members such as a tension spring and a torsion coil spring can be used as long as they have similar functions. The biasing member may be changed.

  In each of the above embodiments, the in-vehicle optical sensor is the in-vehicle camera 5 that captures the rear of the vehicle 1, but is not limited thereto, and may be, for example, an in-vehicle camera that captures another direction of the vehicle 1. It is good also as a rain sensor etc. for CPU etc. to recognize the amount of rain based on the done image.

  In the first embodiment, the fluid for cleaning the lens 5c is a fluid in which a cleaning liquid (liquid) and air are mixed. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the fluid may be only the cleaning liquid or only air. It may be changed to fluid. Moreover, in the said 2nd Embodiment, although the said fluid was used as the washing | cleaning liquid, it is not limited to this, You may change a fluid into other fluids, such as making it the fluid which mixed air and the washing | cleaning liquid and air. .

  In the first embodiment, the lens 5c of the in-vehicle camera 5 is used as the external imaging surface. However, the lens 5c is not limited to this and is configured separately from the in-vehicle camera and directly fixed to the vehicle (garnish or the like). A transparent plate (made of glass or resin) may be used as the external imaging surface, and may be embodied as an in-vehicle optical sensor cleaning device that removes foreign matters attached to the transparent plate. That is, in the first embodiment, the in-vehicle camera 5 having the lens 5c is fixed to the vehicle 1 and the external imaging surface is provided so as not to move with respect to the vehicle 1. For example, as shown in FIG. Further, the protective glass 51 that is a transparent plate may be directly fixed to the vehicle 1 (garnish 4), and the external imaging surface (protective glass 51) may be provided so as not to move with respect to the vehicle 1.

  In the first embodiment, the movable nozzle 11 provided with the injection port 11a is supported so as to be able to move forward and backward with respect to the in-vehicle camera 5 fixed to the vehicle 1, but is not limited thereto. The movable nozzle 11 may be provided in another configuration as long as it can move forward and backward relative to the vehicle 1. For example, as shown in FIG. 17, a snap fit portion 10 d is provided in the second case 10 of the nozzle unit 8 of the first embodiment, and the snap fit portion 10 d is fitted to the fitting portion 3 a of the vehicle panel 3. It is good also as a structure, You may provide the nozzle unit 8 with respect to the vehicle 1 so that attachment or detachment is possible in this way. In this example (see FIG. 17), a lid 52 is provided at the tip of the movable nozzle 11. The lid 52 has the same outer color as the outer surface of the garnish 4. In the reverse state in which the movable nozzle 11 moves backward, the opening of the garnish 4 is closed by the lid portion 52, and the outer surface of the garnish 4 and the outer surface of the lid portion 52 are set to be flush with each other. In the first embodiment, the nozzle unit 8 provided with the movable nozzle 11 so as to be movable forward and backward is detachably assembled to the vehicle 1 (specifically, the in-vehicle camera 5). However, the present invention is not limited to this. It may not be provided and cannot be attached or detached.

  In the first embodiment, the injection port 11a is formed in a rectangular shape when viewed from the opening direction. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the injection port 11a is formed in a square shape or a circular shape when viewed from the opening direction. May be.

  In the first embodiment, the injection port 11a is arranged only in the horizontal direction side of the lens 5c at the non-cleaning position, but is not limited to this and is changed to be arranged at another position. May be. For example, the ejection port 11a may be disposed only in a range below the horizontal direction side of the lens 5c (external imaging surface) at the non-cleaning position. Even if the liquid drips downward from the ejection port 11a moved to the position, it is possible to prevent the dripping liquid from adhering to the lens 5c. Further, for example, the ejection port 11a may be disposed in a range above the horizontal side of the lens 5c (external imaging surface) at the non-cleaning position.

The technical idea is described below.
The in-vehicle optical sensor cleaning device is an in-vehicle optical sensor cleaning device that ejects fluid from an ejection port toward an external imaging surface of an in-vehicle optical sensor mounted on a vehicle and removes foreign matter adhering to the external imaging surface. Thus, the external imaging surface and the ejection port are relatively moved so that the ejection port moves to a cleaning position that approaches the center of the imaging range of the in-vehicle optical sensor and a non-cleaning position that is farther from the center of the imaging range than the cleaning position. The external imaging surface and the injection port are provided so as to be able to move forward and backward relatively so as to move between the cleaning position and the non-cleaning position. It is possible to move forward so as not to approach the imaging axis of the in-vehicle optical sensor.

  According to this configuration, the external imaging surface and the ejection port are relatively moved so that the ejection port moves to the cleaning position where the in-vehicle optical sensor approaches the center of the imaging range and to the non-cleaning position that is farther from the imaging range center than the cleaning position. Therefore, it is possible to clean the external imaging surface satisfactorily without disturbing the imaging by moving it to the cleaning position only during the cleaning.

  Further, since the external imaging surface and the ejection port are provided so as to be able to move forward and backward relatively so as to move between the cleaning position and the non-cleaning position, for example, the external imaging surface and the ejection port are relatively rotated. Compared to the case, the area required for movement can be reduced.

  The in-vehicle optical sensor cleaning device is an in-vehicle optical sensor cleaning device that ejects fluid from an ejection port toward an external imaging surface of an in-vehicle optical sensor mounted on a vehicle and removes foreign matter adhering to the external imaging surface. Thus, the external imaging surface and the ejection port are relatively moved so that the ejection port moves to a cleaning position that approaches the center of the imaging range of the in-vehicle optical sensor and a non-cleaning position that is farther from the center of the imaging range than the cleaning position. The external imaging surface and the injection port are provided so as to be relatively movable back and forth so as to move between the cleaning position and the non-cleaning position. It is provided in a movable nozzle supported so as to be able to move forward and backward, the movable nozzle is provided so as to be able to protrude and retract from an opening of the garnish of the vehicle, and a lid is provided at the tip of the movable nozzle, In the non-cleaning position the dynamic nozzle is backward, and the outer surface of the said cover portion of the movable nozzle garnish is provided so as to be flush.

  According to this configuration, the external imaging surface and the ejection port are relatively moved so that the ejection port moves to the cleaning position where the in-vehicle optical sensor approaches the center of the imaging range and to the non-cleaning position that is farther from the imaging range center than the cleaning position. Therefore, it is possible to clean the external imaging surface satisfactorily without disturbing the imaging by moving it to the cleaning position only during the cleaning.

  Further, since the external imaging surface and the ejection port are provided so as to be able to move forward and backward relatively so as to move between the cleaning position and the non-cleaning position, for example, the external imaging surface and the ejection port are relatively rotated. Compared to the case, the area required for movement can be reduced.

  The in-vehicle optical sensor cleaning device is an in-vehicle optical sensor cleaning device that ejects fluid from an ejection port toward an external imaging surface of an in-vehicle optical sensor mounted on a vehicle and removes foreign matter adhering to the external imaging surface. Thus, the external imaging surface and the ejection port are relatively moved so that the ejection port moves to a cleaning position that approaches the center of the imaging range of the in-vehicle optical sensor and a non-cleaning position that is farther from the center of the imaging range than the cleaning position. The fluid is provided with a liquid pump that mixes liquid and air, and is capable of feeding the liquid, and an air pump that ejects the air. The air pump is driven by the liquid pump. Driven while

  According to this configuration, the external imaging surface and the ejection port are relatively moved so that the ejection port moves to the cleaning position where the in-vehicle optical sensor approaches the center of the imaging range and to the non-cleaning position that is farther from the imaging range center than the cleaning position. Therefore, it is possible to clean the external imaging surface satisfactorily without disturbing the imaging by moving it to the cleaning position only during the cleaning.

  Also, since the fluid is a mixture of liquid and air, for example, the external imaging surface can be cleaned better by increasing the injection pressure (by increasing the flow velocity) compared to the case of using only liquid. Is possible. In addition, the consumption of liquid can be reduced.

  In the on-vehicle optical sensor cleaning device, the air pump is driven prior to the driving of the liquid pump, and is driven and stopped for a preset time after the liquid pump is stopped.

  The in-vehicle optical sensor cleaning device is an in-vehicle optical sensor cleaning device that ejects fluid from an ejection port toward an external imaging surface of an in-vehicle optical sensor mounted on a vehicle and removes foreign matter adhering to the external imaging surface. Thus, the external imaging surface and the ejection port are relatively moved so that the ejection port moves to a cleaning position that approaches the center of the imaging range of the in-vehicle optical sensor and a non-cleaning position that is farther from the center of the imaging range than the cleaning position. The external imaging surface and the ejection port are provided so as to be able to move forward and backward relatively so as to move between the cleaning position and the non-cleaning position. The nozzle is provided in a movable nozzle supported so as to be able to move forward and backward relative to the vehicle, the nozzle unit provided so that the movable nozzle can be moved forward and backward, and the vehicle-mounted A connection fixing member fixed to the optical sensor, and the connection fixing member is a separate member from the garnish of the vehicle, the nozzle unit, and the in-vehicle optical sensor, and the nozzle unit is connected and fixed Removably assembled to the member.

  According to this configuration, the external imaging surface and the ejection port are relatively moved so that the ejection port moves to the cleaning position where the in-vehicle optical sensor approaches the center of the imaging range and to the non-cleaning position that is farther from the imaging range center than the cleaning position. Therefore, it is possible to clean the external imaging surface satisfactorily without disturbing the imaging by moving it to the cleaning position only during the cleaning.

  Further, since the external imaging surface and the ejection port are provided so as to be able to move forward and backward relatively so as to move between the cleaning position and the non-cleaning position, for example, the external imaging surface and the ejection port are relatively rotated. Compared to the case, the area required for movement can be reduced.

  Further, since the external imaging surface is provided so as not to move with respect to the vehicle, for example, a stable captured image can be obtained. Further, since the injection port is provided in the movable nozzle supported so as to be able to move forward and backward with respect to the vehicle, it is possible to easily move forward and backward. That is, for example, if the external imaging surface can be moved forward and backward, it becomes a large mechanism that entrains the in-vehicle optical sensor. However, the external imaging surface is provided directly or indirectly (in-vehicle optical sensor) on the vehicle. In this case, since the movable nozzle can be made relatively small and light as compared with the mechanism, the configuration in which the movable nozzle side is moved forward and backward facilitates switching between the forward and backward movements.

  In addition, since the movable nozzle has a nozzle unit provided to be movable forward and backward, and the nozzle unit is detachably assembled to the vehicle (directly or indirectly), for example, the front and rear of the movable nozzle It becomes easy to remove the nozzle unit and replace it with a new one when the advance operation becomes defective.

-In the said vehicle-mounted optical sensor washing | cleaning apparatus, it is preferable that the said movable nozzle can be advanced so that the said injection nozzle may approach the imaging axis line of the said vehicle-mounted optical sensor.
According to this configuration, the movable nozzle can be advanced so that the ejection port approaches the imaging axis of the in-vehicle optical sensor, so that, for example, the cleaning liquid is directed from the front direction close to the imaging axis to the center position of the external imaging surface. It becomes easy to inject.

In the on-vehicle optical sensor cleaning device, it is preferable that the movable nozzle is advanced to the cleaning position by a fluid supply pressure.
According to this configuration, since the movable nozzle moves forward to the cleaning position by the fluid supply pressure, an electric drive device or the like for moving the movable nozzle forward becomes unnecessary, and the configuration can be simplified.

In the on-vehicle optical sensor cleaning device, it is preferable that the movable nozzle is moved backward to the non-cleaning position by a biasing force of a biasing member.
According to this configuration, the movable nozzle moves backward to the non-cleaning position by the urging force of the urging member, so that an electric drive device or the like for moving the movable nozzle backward becomes unnecessary, and the configuration can be simplified.

-In the said vehicle-mounted optical sensor washing | cleaning apparatus, it is preferable that the said injection port is formed in a rectangular shape seeing from the opening direction.
According to this configuration, since the injection port is formed in a rectangular shape when viewed from the opening direction, it is possible to spray the cleaning liquid over a wide area while maintaining a high injection pressure, and to better clean the external imaging surface. It becomes possible to do.

  In the in-vehicle optical sensor cleaning device, the fluid includes a liquid, and the ejection port is disposed only in a range from a horizontal side including a horizontal side of the external imaging surface to a lower range at the non-cleaning position. It is preferable.

  According to the same configuration, the fluid includes a liquid, and the ejection port is disposed only in a range from the horizontal side including the horizontal side of the external imaging surface at the non-cleaning position to the lower range. For example, even if the liquid drips downward from the ejection port that has moved to the non-cleaning position after the cleaning, it is possible to prevent the dripping liquid from adhering to the external imaging surface.

  The in-vehicle optical sensor cleaning device is an in-vehicle optical sensor cleaning device that ejects fluid from an ejection port toward an external imaging surface of an in-vehicle optical sensor mounted on a vehicle and removes foreign matter adhering to the external imaging surface. Thus, the external imaging surface and the ejection port are relatively moved so that the ejection port moves to a cleaning position that approaches the center of the imaging range of the in-vehicle optical sensor and a non-cleaning position that is farther from the center of the imaging range than the cleaning position. The external imaging surface and the injection port are provided so as to be relatively movable back and forth so as to move between the cleaning position and the non-cleaning position. The external imaging surface is fixed to the vehicle so as to be able to move forward and backward with respect to the vehicle, and the external imaging surface moves backward to the cleaning position by a fluid supply pressure.

  According to this configuration, the external imaging surface and the ejection port are relatively moved so that the ejection port moves to the cleaning position where the in-vehicle optical sensor approaches the center of the imaging range and to the non-cleaning position that is farther from the imaging range center than the cleaning position. Therefore, it is possible to clean the external imaging surface satisfactorily without disturbing the imaging by moving it to the cleaning position only during the cleaning.

  Further, since the external imaging surface and the ejection port are provided so as to be able to move forward and backward relatively so as to move between the cleaning position and the non-cleaning position, for example, the external imaging surface and the ejection port are relatively rotated. Compared to the case, the area required for movement can be reduced.

  In addition, since the injection port is fixed to the vehicle and the external imaging surface is provided so as to be able to move forward and backward with respect to the vehicle, it is possible to stably eject the fluid from the injection port compared to the case where the injection port side is movable. it can.

Further, since the external imaging surface is moved backward to the cleaning position by the fluid supply pressure, an electric drive device or the like for moving the external imaging surface backward is not necessary, and the configuration can be simplified.
The in-vehicle optical sensor cleaning device is an in-vehicle optical sensor cleaning device that ejects fluid from an ejection port toward an external imaging surface of an in-vehicle optical sensor mounted on a vehicle and removes foreign matter adhering to the external imaging surface. Thus, the external imaging surface and the ejection port are relatively moved so that the ejection port moves to a cleaning position that approaches the center of the imaging range of the in-vehicle optical sensor and a non-cleaning position that is farther from the center of the imaging range than the cleaning position. The external imaging surface and the injection port are provided so as to be relatively movable back and forth so as to move between the cleaning position and the non-cleaning position. The external imaging surface is fixed to the vehicle so as to be able to move forward and backward with respect to the vehicle, and the external imaging surface is advanced to the non-cleaning position by a biasing force of a biasing member.

  According to this configuration, the external imaging surface and the ejection port are relatively moved so that the ejection port moves to the cleaning position where the in-vehicle optical sensor approaches the center of the imaging range and to the non-cleaning position that is farther from the imaging range center than the cleaning position. Therefore, it is possible to clean the external imaging surface satisfactorily without disturbing the imaging by moving it to the cleaning position only during the cleaning.

  Further, since the external imaging surface and the ejection port are provided so as to be able to move forward and backward relatively so as to move between the cleaning position and the non-cleaning position, for example, the external imaging surface and the ejection port are relatively rotated. Compared to the case, the area required for movement can be reduced.

  In addition, since the injection port is fixed to the vehicle and the external imaging surface is provided so as to be able to move forward and backward with respect to the vehicle, it is possible to stably eject the fluid from the injection port compared to the case where the injection port side is movable. it can.

Further, since the external imaging surface is advanced to the non-cleaning position by the urging force of the urging member, an electric drive device or the like for advancing the external imaging surface is not necessary, and the configuration can be simplified.
-In the said vehicle-mounted optical sensor cleaning apparatus, it is preferable that the said injection port is provided with two or more.

According to this configuration, since a plurality of injection ports are provided, the external imaging surface can be cleaned better.
In the in-vehicle optical sensor cleaning device, it is preferable that the ejection port is provided around the external imaging surface, and the ejection direction is provided so as to face the center side of the external imaging surface.

  According to this configuration, the ejection ports are provided around the external imaging surface, and are provided so that the ejection direction faces the center side of the external imaging surface. The fluid is ejected to the center side of the image sensor, and the external imaging surface can be cleaned better.

-In the said vehicle-mounted optical sensor cleaning apparatus, it is preferable that the said injection opening is provided so that an injection direction may not mutually oppose.
According to this configuration, since the ejection ports are provided so that the ejection directions do not oppose each other, the ejected fluid is prevented from colliding from the front, and the external imaging surface can be cleaned better. Become.

-In the above-mentioned in-vehicle optical sensor cleaning device, it is preferred that the injection port is provided at equal angular intervals around the entire periphery of the external imaging surface.
According to this configuration, since the ejection ports are provided at equal angular intervals around the entire outer imaging surface, the outer imaging surface can be evenly cleaned.

  In the on-vehicle optical sensor cleaning device, each of the ejection ports communicates with an annular reservoir and fluid is supplied from the reservoir, and the reservoir is supplied with fluid from an inlet that extends in the tangential direction of the reservoir. It is preferable.

  According to the same configuration, each of the injection ports communicates with the annular storage portion and fluid is supplied from the storage portion, and the storage portion is supplied with fluid from the introduction port extending in its tangential direction. The fluid can be uniformly ejected from each ejection port as compared with the case where the fluid is supplied to the storage portion from the direction perpendicular to the tangent line.

  In the in-vehicle optical sensor cleaning device, the non-cleaning position is a position where the ejection port is outside an imaging range of the in-vehicle optical sensor, and the cleaning position is an imaging range of the in-vehicle optical sensor. It is preferable that the position is within.

  According to this configuration, the non-cleaning position is a position where the ejection port is outside the imaging range of the in-vehicle optical sensor, and the cleaning position is a position where the ejection port is within the imaging range of the in-vehicle optical sensor. By moving to the cleaning position only at times, the external imaging surface can be satisfactorily cleaned without obstructing imaging at all.

In the on-vehicle optical sensor cleaning device, it is preferable that the external imaging surface and the ejection port are relatively movable by a driving force of an electric driving device.
According to this configuration, since the external imaging surface and the ejection port are relatively movable by the driving force of the electric drive device, for example, accurate position control is possible as compared with those that are moved by the fluid supply pressure. Become.

  By the way, in the in-vehicle optical sensor cleaning device as described in the background art, in order to direct the injection port toward the center of the external imaging surface, the injection port (the tip of the nozzle) is near the center of the imaging range of the in-vehicle optical sensor. There is a problem that the injection port (tip portion of the nozzle) interferes with imaging. That is, there is a problem that the imaging range that can be captured by the in-vehicle optical sensor is substantially reduced.

  The technical idea described below has been made to solve the above-described problems, and the purpose thereof is an in-vehicle optical sensor cleaning device that can clean an external imaging surface satisfactorily without interfering with imaging. Is to provide.

  The in-vehicle optical sensor cleaning device is an in-vehicle optical sensor cleaning device that ejects fluid from an ejection port toward an external imaging surface of an in-vehicle optical sensor mounted on a vehicle and removes foreign matter adhering to the external imaging surface. Thus, the external imaging surface and the ejection port are relatively moved so that the ejection port moves to a cleaning position that approaches the center of the imaging range of the in-vehicle optical sensor and a non-cleaning position that is farther from the center of the imaging range than the cleaning position. The external imaging surface and the injection port are provided so as to be able to move forward and backward relatively so as to move between the cleaning position and the non-cleaning position, and the nozzle having the injection port The nozzle unit provided with a snap fit portion is fitted to the fit portion of the vehicle panel.

  According to this configuration, the external imaging surface and the ejection port are relatively moved so that the ejection port moves to the cleaning position where the in-vehicle optical sensor approaches the center of the imaging range and to the non-cleaning position that is farther from the imaging range center than the cleaning position. Therefore, it is possible to clean the external imaging surface satisfactorily without disturbing the imaging by moving it to the cleaning position only during the cleaning.

  Further, since the external imaging surface and the ejection port are provided so as to be able to move forward and backward relatively so as to move between the cleaning position and the non-cleaning position, for example, the external imaging surface and the ejection port are relatively rotated. Compared to the case, the area required for movement can be reduced.

  The in-vehicle optical sensor cleaning device is an in-vehicle optical sensor cleaning device that ejects fluid from an ejection port toward an external imaging surface of an in-vehicle optical sensor mounted on a vehicle and removes foreign matter adhering to the external imaging surface. Thus, the external imaging surface and the ejection port are relatively moved so that the ejection port moves to a cleaning position that approaches the center of the imaging range of the in-vehicle optical sensor and a non-cleaning position that is farther from the center of the imaging range than the cleaning position. The external imaging surface and the injection port are provided so as to be able to move forward and backward relatively so as to move between the cleaning position and the non-cleaning position. It arrange | positions outside the imaging range of the said vehicle-mounted optical sensor in a washing | cleaning position and the said non-washing position.

  According to this configuration, the external imaging surface and the ejection port are relatively moved so that the ejection port moves to the cleaning position where the in-vehicle optical sensor approaches the center of the imaging range and to the non-cleaning position that is farther from the imaging range center than the cleaning position. Therefore, it is possible to clean the external imaging surface satisfactorily without disturbing the imaging by moving it to the cleaning position only during the cleaning.

  Further, since the external imaging surface and the ejection port are provided so as to be able to move forward and backward relatively so as to move between the cleaning position and the non-cleaning position, for example, the external imaging surface and the ejection port are relatively rotated. Compared to the case, the area required for movement can be reduced.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Vehicle, 5 ... Car-mounted camera (vehicle-mounted optical sensor), 5c ... Lens (external imaging surface), 8 ... Nozzle unit, 22g ... Introduction port, 11 ... Movable nozzle, 11a, 22d, 31-33 ... Injection port, 12 , 27 ... compression coil spring (biasing member), 22e ... storage section, 41 ... electric motor (electric drive device), 51 ... protective glass (external imaging surface), X ... center of imaging range.

Claims (7)

An in-vehicle optical sensor cleaning device that ejects fluid from an ejection port toward an external imaging surface of an in-vehicle optical sensor mounted on a vehicle to remove foreign matter attached to the external imaging surface,
One of the external imaging surface and the ejection port is provided to be able to move forward and backward relative to the other so as to move between the cleaning position and the non-cleaning position,
The cylindrical case that houses the in-vehicle optical sensor has an opening corresponding to the external imaging surface,
The injection port is provided on an inner peripheral surface of a protruding portion of the case that protrudes around the external imaging surface at the cleaning position, and the injection port is formed on the external surface of the in-vehicle optical sensor at the non-cleaning position. An in-vehicle optical sensor cleaning device that is arranged around the rear of the outer surface of the imaging surface and in which the ejection port is hidden without being exposed to the radially inner side of the protruding portion by the relative backward movement at the non-cleaning position.   2. The in-vehicle optical sensor cleaning device according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of the injection ports are formed on an inner peripheral surface of the protruding portion, and are provided so as to face radially inward at the cleaning position.   The in-vehicle optical sensor cleaning device according to claim 2, wherein the plurality of injection ports are provided such that the injection directions do not oppose each other.   The in-vehicle optical sensor according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the external imaging surface can protrude and retract from the opening of the case by a relative back and forth between the cleaning position and the non-cleaning position. Cleaning device.   The case has an annular storage part provided outside the injection port and communicated with the injection port, and an introduction port communicating with the storage unit, and is connected to a pump so that the fluid is supplied from the introduction port to the storage unit. The in-vehicle optical sensor cleaning device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising: an introduction cylinder portion to be introduced into the vehicle. The reservoir is formed in a circular ring shape,
The in-vehicle optical sensor cleaning device according to claim 5, wherein the introduction port is formed to extend in a tangential direction of the annular storage portion. A biasing member is provided between the in-vehicle optical sensor and the case so that the jet port is biased in the non-cleaning position without being exposed to the radially inner side of the protruding portion.
The supply pressure of the fluid supplied from the introduction port to the storage unit moves the ejection port relatively from the non-cleaning position to the cleaning position against a biasing force of the biasing member. The on-vehicle optical sensor cleaning device according to 5 or 6.